Cavs’ Kenny Atkinson confident Nets’ rebuild ‘will break through’

Former Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson knows what a rebuild looks like. He lived it.

So after his Cavaliers edged Brooklyn, 106-102, on Sunday, Atkinson didn’t sound like someone doubting the direction of his former team — even as the Nets dropped their eighth straight.

“No doubt, you definitely go through those moments,” Atkinson said, via Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “You’re going home and you’re taking that L after the game. It’s hard, especially when they start stacking up. Of course you worry if you’re a competitor.

“But that’s part of it, part of going through a rebuild and part of being a young coach.”

He pointed to progress under current coach Jordi Fernandez.

“And you see the development,” Atkinson said. “It’ll happen here, because they drafted really good talent. They got really good coaching, good coaching staff, good front office. It’ll break through. You’re just waiting for that, ‘When is that gonna happen?’”

For now, Brooklyn sits at 15-45, hovering near the bottom of the standings.

Atkinson’s message? Stay the course.